Roman Candle Pizzeria sets Thursday as opening day in Whitefish Bay

The Roman Candle Pizzeria will debut its first restaurant outside Dane County on Thursday, when it opens at 133 E. Silver Spring Drive in Whitefish Bay.

The Roman Candle, in the works since spring, will open at 11 a.m. daily. Closing times hadn't been finalized, but it's expected to stay open at least until 9 p.m., later on the weekends.

This restaurant's menu of pizzas and salads will differ somewhat from those in Madison, Fitchburg and Middleton but is most similar to the Williamson St. restaurant's, said general manager Cameron Loftus. It will differ on the beverage side as well -- Whitefish Bay will serve milkshakes and will have a rotating kegged cocktail on one of its eight taps.

The opening cocktail will be the Paloma, Loftus said, made with reposada tequila, grapefruit soda and cardamom, for a holiday note ($8). Other tap lines will be dedicated to mostly craft beers and to Sprecher's root beer soda.

Loftus said the restaurant will have a brief cocktail list and a more extensive wine list.

Pizzas will come in three sizes: 12, 14 and 16 inch, made from dough that proofs more than a day to develop its flavor. Toppings include unusual choices such as walnuts, beets, corn, blue cheese and red pepper puree, and offerings will change once the growing season returns, Loftus said.